What is an Encysted or Bastard Tumour or Impostume?
It is that which is made of a Setling of mixt and corrupt Humours, the Matter whereof is contain'd in certain proper Cystes or Membranous Bags.
What are the kinds of these Tumours?
They are the Steatoma, the Atheroma, the Meliceris, the Wen, the Bronchocele, and the Scrophula or King's-Evil.
How is the difference between these Tumours discern'd?
The Steatoma is known by its Matter resembling Suet; as that of the Atheroma resembleth Pap; and that of the Meliceris is like Honey: These three Tumours cannot be well distinguish'd on the outside, in regard that they do not change the natural Colour of the Skin, which
equally retains in all three the print of the Fingers that press it. But the Bronchocele is discover'd by the Place and Part which it possesseth; that is to say, the Throat; as also by its somewhat hard consistence without the Alteration of the Skin. The Scrophulæ or King's-Evil Swellings are known by their unequal Hardness, and their situation in the Glandules, either in the Neck, Arm-pits or elsewhere, without alteration likewise of the Skin.
R E M E D I E S.
Want is the Method to be observ'd in curing these sorts of Tumours?
An Attempt is to be made to dissolve 'em, as in all the others; nevertheless the safest way is to bring 'em to Suppuration, and to extirpate the Cystes, which are apt to be fill'd again after the Dissipation of the Humour.